I am so confused!

God

This is the church I grew up in many, many, many, many (is that enough?) years ago.

A small church but with a congregation that worked tirelessly to serve the community. Besides the church building on their property they have a Walk In Clinic for those that can’t afford health care, a group home for developmentally disabled adults and a learning center.

Anyone looking for a church home would do well to give St John a try and if I were to still live in Tampa it would still be my choice. With that said the folks who were the backbone of the church (Mike and Olga Casanueva, Manual and Hortense Beito, and my mom and dad Charlotte and Henry Knight); of course there are others but right now these come to mind first.

Here is a link to their new website, please give it a browse and consider them for your new church home.

Another short post. I believe that God does have a sense of humor, how else can you explain zebras? And there is this: God gave me a love of music of all kinds and there is very little that I don’t listen to (there are exceptions and they are Rap music and Opera); I love music that I find on YouTube that is older than I am and a lot of music by folks that I have never heard of. (the other shoe dropping) however God did not give me any talent to play an instrument or to sing – yep my singing voice is terrible but I still sing if the right song is playing (Under the Boardwalk by the Drifters is one of them).

I used to love Christmas but my family is so into get together’s, parties and spending that it just take the meaning of Christmas away from me. Because of the ice storm we had I even missed going to church on Christmas Eve. However I did manage to watch what I consider the best Christmas movie ever made – Silent Night starring Linda Hamilton; this depicts the true spirit of Christmas. If you are inclined the movie is on You Tube and you can watch it there.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” the old man said. “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. “Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.” That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

Take time to read a portion of God’s word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story.

By the way if you have not ever read this blog I recommend you read some of it as this young lady has a very special message that could benefit you. I am a 70 year old “old fart” and I love to read her post.

Posted on September 11, 2017 by beautybeyondbones

You know what is terrifying?

The fact that most high school seniors were born after September 11, 2001.
Yep. Seniors in high school. Did not experience 9/11. Many were born after the terror attacks.

My mind. Can’t. Comprehend.

It’s been 16 years.

The slogan has been and always will be: 9/11: Never Forget.

Never Forget the 3000 lives that were lost that day in the towers. The 343 NY fire fighters who lost their lives, including the fire house chaplain, Fr. Mychal Judge who was hit by falling rubble while giving a victim last rites. The children who lost parents or loved ones that fateful day.

Never Forget that our country was viciously attacked in a calculated, and cold blooded way.

But you want to know the sad truth?

We have forgotten.

I remember right after the attacks, there was a shortage of American Flags across the United States.

A shortage. Every store was sold out. Because people were hanging them outside of their homes, car windows, mailboxes, cubicles, – you name it. People were even spray-painting their lawns the American Flag. There were candle light vigils and patriotic concerts.

Everything was God Bless America.

Now a days, we can’t even get our professional athletes to stand up during the National Anthem at sporting events, for crying out loud.

We’re fighting to remove “Under God” from our pledge of allegiance.

We’ve got pop stars proclaiming that they “hate America” and openly disrespecting our country and the flag – and encouraging others to do the same.
Not to mention the complete farce people – and the media – have made of President Trump and the first family.

This was not the America of 16 years ago.

The America, 16 years ago, stood up for itself. The America, 16 years ago, was not afraid to draw a definitive line between right and wrong, and enforce consequences for offenders.

Now a-days, we can’t even call someone by their God-given sex, without the threat of offending someone or being the target for public shame – or even worse – getting labeled as part of a “hate group.”

Somewhere during the process of the “Snowflaking-of-America,” we’ve completely forgotten about the day we were attacked, not once – not twice – but four times: Twice in NYC, Once at the Pentagon, and Once in Pennsylvania.

I was walking along the West Side Highway in New York City today, and the next thing I know, the road is closed, and literally 1,000s of motorcycles are parading down the avenue. There are helicopters and police escorts, and for literally 25 minutes, hundreds and hundreds of bikes, bedecked with American Flags and patriotic swag caravanned from Ground Zero to midtown in honor of the anniversary of 9/11.

These people remembered.

These people were not afraid to raise our flag with pride and reverence.

These people were showing respect, and God bless them for it.

Why is forgetting 9/11 such a crime?

Because it makes us take our freedom for granted.

It makes us forget that our freedom is actually a gift. People have died for our freedom. It came with a price.

So the next time you’re stuck in line at airport security, just remember that 9/11 is the reason you’re having to take off your shoes. And belt. And jewelry. And getting a pat down.

Why? Because on September 11, 2001, hijackers got on airplanes and attacked the United States of America.

But we stood up for our country.

We made a vow never to forget.

And it’s time we started acting like it.

It’s time we start respecting our elected officials and work to cooperate together instead of demonstrating hatred and anger and an uncompromising spirit through violent protests and marches.

America, 16 years ago – came together when the chips were down. We united.
America today – we’re hostile with one another: venomously divided, – and violently defensive.

I don’t like it. I don’t like it one little bit.

And I get it, our country is far from perfect. There are still some serious issues – racisim and sexism just to name a few. But cooperation is a two way street, and all sides have a role to play. So that with our freedom, and with a cooperative spirit, we can continue to make progress against these issues in a county that allows us the freedom to do so.

Maybe this hurricane is falling on the anniversary of September 11, as a God-facilitated catalyst for our country to come together.

Because quite honestly, we’re at a breaking point.

Maybe this emergency is just the situation we needed to set aside our differences, and come together as a United nation. The United States of America. One nation – under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.

NOTE: if you go to her actual website there are graphics and so forth that are available.

Ever wonder how so many politicians earn only a good wage and yet end up multimillionaires? I may have found out why! The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice..Proverbs 17:23 They are owned by who bought them.
It seems to me nobody owns Trump. Maybe that’s why he is so despised. What big money can’t control it will destroy. The deep state is very deep indeed. Follow the money is a great tool understand who really is in power. Find those in power and learn their agenda. Read the Bible and you’ll see it was all laid out from the ancient days. Give your heart to Jesus and rejoice in His soon return. So ..I guess I am now criminal for my faith.

OK I admit it. During the Republican primaries I supported Ted Cruz or Rand Paul, and I still love these guys but it wasn’t to be. When Donald Trump got the nomination though I joined the rest of my family on the “Trump Train” and have been there ever since. The transition for me was made much easier during the Convention by seeing Trumps children and seeing how classy they were; he has a beautiful family that he loves very much and he has instilled in them morals and work ethic that are wonderful to see.

He has had to fight tooth and nail the whole time he ran and still to this day; I have never seen the media treat any elected official this badly – he could cure cancer and they would find a way to criticize that. Or possibly they have and I just wasn’t paying attention to the nonsense as we do tend to get involved with just living and things go over our heads.

My fear is that President Trump will eventually tone down or modify what he is doing because they have just worn him down. He needs to just keep doing what he is doing and main stream America will continue to love and support him.

Stay strong President Trump we are with you and are praying for you and your family.

Planned Parenthood’s true colors are showing. They’re in the news this time because their website gives “guidelines” that instruct parents to teach their children, even preschoolers, that “your genitals don’t make you a boy or a girl.” They want to introduce the concept of transgender identity to a younger and younger audience—pushing the LGBTQ agenda. Among other things, it says, “Putting daughters in pink princess rooms and boys in blue sports rooms before they’re old enough to choose for themselves can send the message that they have to like certain things because of their gender.” Remember, Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the U.S., performing over 300,000 abortions annually. The thought of that alone is staggering—what a tragedy. Abortion is the murder of an unborn child. What kind of parenting is that?

The very people and groups who call everyone racists and sees racial overtones in literally everyone and everything are the very ones who when they first see a person see first the color, race, religion, clothes and so forth first and do not see the person first. And they also think that a black person, Asian or gay person are so weak and inept that they can’t think or fend for themselves. And who appointed these asinine liberals to speak for all groups in the world; did anyone ask these folks if they need or want these people to think for them.

I have seen obsessive animal lovers who say they won’t eat meat because it means an animal has to die and it is cruel. But I have noticed over time that these same people always without fail will make sure the dog or cat food they buy for their animals have “meat” in it. I don’t get it, is that meat in the animal foods not really meat – I don’t think so, I’ve read the label.

I don’t get it when I hear liberals rail against capital punishment as being cruel and inhumane but these same folks are all pro abortion. So somehow killing and mutilating babies is somehow ok? Of course the other side is a bit inconsistent also as Pro Life usually means Pro Capital Punishment; I am in this group I am afraid as if killers are put to death then they will not be hurting other people in the future.

On the lighter side when going to the grocery store to pick up toilet paper I find that it is not called toilet paper, it is called bath tissue. Now who among us has ever bathed with and dried off with “bath tissue”? It is toilet paper folks – always was and always will be.

Easter is coming up pretty soon (couple weeks). Everyone is buying eggs to color and hide and I kind of like that also; I remember an Easter egg hunt at my Grandma Knights Methodist church in Mascotte FL. What fun, what memories. Of course as an adult I now know the real significance of Easter – a time of sadness that turns into a time of joy as Jesus sacrifices himself for us on the cross.

Waterford Weslyan Church has a huge Easter Egg hunt for children at a local park. This is a way to reach out and do something for the community much as Jesus has reached out to us in saving us. If I can get it to work I am going to try to insert here a YouTube video about Easter.